program / schedule
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program
A program or overview that shows which plays, operas, or concerts are being performed during a specific period of time, e.g. a season.
Der neue Spielplan des Theaters für den Herbst wurde gerade veröffentlicht.
The theater's new program for the fall has just been published.
The word is a clear compound made up of 'das Spiel' (game/play) and 'der Plan' (plan). So it is literally a plan that shows the games or performances.
Der Trainer studiert den Spielplan für die nächste Saison.
The coach studies the schedule for the next season.
You can tell from the context whether the cultural or sports meaning is intended. Words like 'Theater' (theater), 'Oper' (opera), or 'Konzert' (concert) point to the cultural calendar. Words like 'Mannschaft' (team), 'Liga' (league), or 'Turnier' (tournament) point to the sports schedule.
Auf dem Spielplan des Stadttheaters steht diesen Monat eine neue Komödie.
A new comedy is on the city theater's program this month.
In a cultural context, typical phrases are 'auf dem Spielplan stehen' (to be on the program), 'etwas in den Spielplan aufnehmen' (to add something to the program), or 'den Spielplan für eine Saison veröffentlichen' (to publish the program for a season).
Welche Stücke stehen nächste Spielzeit auf dem Spielplan?
Which plays are on the program next season?
In a sports context, frequent phrases are 'laut Spielplan' (according to the schedule), 'der Spielplan sieht vor, dass ...' (the schedule provides that ...), or 'ein voller Spielplan' (a full schedule).
Laut Spielplan findet das nächste Spiel auswärts statt.
According to the schedule, the next game will take place away from home.
program
'das Programm' and 'der Spielplan' can both show what is happening and when. 'das Programm' is more general and fits events, television, radio, or individual evenings with several items. 'der Spielplan' is more precise when talking about theater, opera, concerts, or sports games within a particular period of time. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Spielplan' is also a kind of program. But more naturally: for a month of theater performances or a sports season, you say 'Spielplan'; for the sequence of events at an event, 'Programm' is more likely.
Vor dem Wochenende hat er bei der Arbeit den Spielplan des Theaters geprüft.
Before the weekend, he checked the theater's program at work.
Meine Schwester liest das Programm für den Kulturabend.
My sister reads the program for the cultural evening.